Guest guest Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 Just to clarify, Doreen: The standard approach now in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is to start one or more DMARDs immediately. Today, methotrexate is usually the first choice. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19373092 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19247592 Not an MD On Wed, May 13, 2009 at 6:21 AM, Mimi <mimi212@...> wrote: > > > Hi Kay - I hear your frustration. I feel your pain. I know what you are > going through. Don't let this RA get you down! Take a tape recorder to the > meetings - I can't hang onto a pen for long either - or get one of those fat > barreled pens. Check out http://www.arthritissupplies.com/ or a similar site > for aids to help with daily living. > > Check out http://butyoudontlooksick.com/navigation/BYDLS-TheSpoonTheory.pdf > to learn how to pace yourself. I take showers at night because I know it > uses too many spoons in the morning when I need the most energy and because > I know I will be going to bed shortly after so I can rest. > > It sounds like your Rheumy is taking a normal approach to treating your RA. > They usually do start out slowly and gradually get more aggressive with > treatment. Don't freak out about not being able to afford the more expensive > treatments. If and when the time comes, there are plenty of patient > assistance programs out there to help you. I don't have any insurance and > thought things were hopeless, until someone here on the list told me about a > patient assistance program. Now I will be getting my medication for FREE. > > Nothing is hopeless with RA. We have to find a new " normal " and that can > change from day to day. We have to make adjustments to the way we do things > and accept the things we just can't do anymore. The Serenity Prayer has > always been a lifeline for me. God has granted me the serenity to accept the > things I can't change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom > to know the difference. > > Hang in there. Keep us posted. We're all in the same boat here.....Doreen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 14, 2009 Report Share Posted May 14, 2009 Doreen, Ten years ago, many rheumatologists were still prescribing NSAIDs and rest first (the " pyramid " )! At least we're far beyond that now. Not an MD On Thu, May 14, 2009 at 7:16 AM, Mimi <mimi212@...> wrote: > > > Oh, wow!! Thanks for the clarification, . Things certainly are changing > fast in the treatment plans of RA. I have to admit that MTX has given me the > most control so far - although not nearly enough. At the time I was > diagnosed, it was not the first plan of action, so effective treatment was > delayed. I'm glad to see they have " rethunk " this theory.....Doreen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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